"ratherthannot。""Ratheruglythannot，anduglyinalittlewaythatweneedsayfewwordsabout——thefewerthebetter；"nay，thisparaphrasecannotachievethehomelyItalianqualitywherebytheprintedandcondemnatorycriticismismadeafamilyaffairthatshallgonofurther。Afterthesoundofit，theEuropeanconcertseemstobecomposedofbrassinstruments。
HowunlikeisthehouseofEnglishlanguageandtheenclosureintowhichatravellerhitherhastoenter!Dowepossessanythingheremoreessentiallyours（thoughweshareitwithoursisterGermany）
thanourparticle"un"？Poorarethoselivinglanguagesthathavenotouruseofsorichanegative。TheFrenchequivalentinadjectivesreachesnofurtherthantheadjectiveitself——orhardly；
itdoesnotattaintheparticiple；sothatnoFrenchorItalianpoethasthewords"unloved"，"unforgiven。"Nonesuch，therefore，hastheopportunityofthegravestandthemostmajesticofallironies。
InourEnglish，thewordsthataredeniedarestillthere——"loved，"
"forgiven"：excludedangels，whostanderect，attestingwhatisnotdone，whatisundone，whatshallnotbedone。
Nomerelyoppositewordscouldhavesomuchdenial，orsomuchpainofloss，orsomuchouterdarkness，orsomuchbarredbeatitudeinsight。All—present，all—significant，all—remembering，all—
foretellingistheword，andithasaplenitudeofknowledge。
Wehavemanymoreconspicuouspossessionsthatare，likethis，propertocharacterandthought，andbynomeansonlyanaccidentofuntransferablespeech。Anditisimpossibleforareader，whoisaloveroflanguagesfortheirspirit，topassthewordsofuntravelledexcellence，propertotheirowngardenenclosed，withoutrecognition。Nevermaytheybedisregardedorconfoundedwiththeuniversalstock。IfIwouldnotsoneglectpiuttostobruttini，howmuchlessaworddominatingliterature!AndofsuchwordsofascendancyandracethereisnogreatEnglishauthorbuthasabundantpossession。Noneedtorecallthem。Butevenwriterswhoarenotgreathave，hereandthere，provedtheirfullconsciousnessoftheirbirthright。Thusdoesamanwhowashardlyanauthor，Haydonthepainter，putouthishandtotakehisrights。Hehasincomparablelanguagewhenheisatacertainpageofhislife；atthattimehesatedowntosketchhischild，dyinginitsbabyhood，andtheheadhestudiedwas，hesays，fullof"powerandgrief。"
Thisisaphraseofdifferentdiscoveryfromthatwhichrevealsalocalrhyme—balancedepigram，agraciousantithesis，takinganintellectualplace——Felicechivimira——ortheart—critic’sphrase——
piuttostobruttini——ofeasy，companionable，andequalcontempt。
AsforFrench，ifithadnoothersacredwords——andithasmany——whowouldnottreasurethelanguagethathasgivenus——no，notthathasgivenus，butthathaskeptforitsown——ensoleille？Nowhereelseisthesunservedwithsuchaword。Itisnottobesaidorwrittenwithoutaconvincingsenseofsunshine，andfromtheverywordcomelightandradiation。Theunaccustomednorthcouldnothavemadeit，northeaccustomedsouth，butonlyanationpart—northandpart—
south；thereforeneitherEnglandnorItalycanrivalit。ButthereneededalsothesensesoftheFrench——thosesensesofwhichtheysayfartoomuchineverysecond—classbookoftheirenormous，theirgeneralsecond—class，butwhichtheyhavematchedintheirtimewithsomeinimitablewords。Perhapsthatmatchingwasdoneatthemomentofthefullliteraryconsciousnessofthesenses，somewhereaboutthefamous1830。ForIdonotthinkensoleilletobeamucholderword——Imakenoassertion。Whateveritsorigin，mayithavenoend!
Theycannotwearyuswithit；foritseemsasnewasthesun，asremoteasoldProvence；village，hill—side，vineyard，andchestnutwoodshineinthesplendouroftheword，theairislight，andwhitethingspassingblindtheeyes——awoman’slinen，whitecattle，shiningonthewayfromshadowtoshadow。Awordofthesenseofsight，andasummerword，inshort，comparedwithwhichtheparaphraseisbutapicture。ForensoleilleIwouldclaimtheconsentofallreaders——thattheyshallallacknowledgethespiritofthatFrench。Butperhapsitisamerepersonalpreferencethatmakeslejours’annoncealsosacred。
Ifthehymn，"StabatMaterdolorosa，"waswritteninLatin，thiscouldbeonlythatitmightintimefinditstruelanguageandincomparablephraseatlast——thatitmightawaitthedayoflifeinitsproperGerman。Ifounditthere（andknewatoncetheauthenticverse，andknewatonceforwhattongueithadbeenreallydestined）
inthepagesoftheprayer—bookofanapple—womanatanInnsbruckchurch，andintheaccentsofhervoice。
THESEAWALL
Asingularloveofwallsismine。Perhapsbecauseofchildishassociationwithmountain—climbingroadsnarrowinthebrightshadowsofgreystone，hidingolivetreeswhereofthetopmostleavesprickaboveintotheblue；orperhapsbecauseofsubsequentlivinginLondon，withitstoomanywindowsandtoofewwalls，thecitywhichofallcapitalstakesleastvisibleholdupontheground；orforthesakeofsomeotherattractionoraversion，walls，blankandstrong，reachingoutwardatthebase，areasatisfactiontotheeyesteasedbytheinexpressivepeeringofwindows，bythatweaklapseandshufflingwhichistheLondon"area，"andbythehelplesshollowsofshop—fronts。
Iwouldratherhaveawallthananyrailbutaverygoodoneofwrought—iron。Awallisthesafeguardofsimplicity。Itlaysalonglevellineamongtheindefinitechancesofthelandscape。Butnevermoremajesticthaninfaceofthewildsea，thewall，steadyingitsslantingfootupontherock，buildsintheserriedilex—woodandbuildsoutthewave。Thesea—wallisthewallatitsbest。Andfineasitisonthestrongcoast，itisbeautifulontheweaklittoralandtheimperilledlevelsofanorthernbeach。
Thatseawallislowandlong；sea—pinksgrowonthesaltgrassthatpassesawayintoshingleatitsfoot。Itisatclosequarterswiththewintersea，when，fromthelowcoastwithitslowhorizon，thesky—lineofseaisjagged。Neverfromanyheightdoestheocean—
horizonshowthusbrokenandbatteredatitsveryverge，butfromtheflatcoastandthenarrowworldyoucanseethewaveasfarasyoucanseethewater；andthestormylightofaclearhorizonisseentobemobileandshiftingwiththebuoyanthillocksandtheirrestlessline。
NowhereinHollanddoesthereseemtobesuchalowsea—wallassecuresmanyamileofgentleEnglishcoasttotheeast。TheDutchdykehasnotthataspectofalowlyparapetagainstatide；itspringswithalookofhasteandofheight；andwhenyoufirstrunupstairsfromtheencumberedDutchfieldstolookatthesea，thereisnothingintheleastlikeEngland；andeventheEnglishmanofto—
dayisapttosharesomethingoftheoldperversitythatwasmindedtocastderisionupontheDutchintheirencounterswiththetides。
TherehasbeensomefaultintheDutch，makingthemsubjecttotheslightderisionofthenationswhoholdthemselvestobemoreromantic，and，asitwere，moreslender。WeEnglish，onceuponatime，didespeciallyfloutthelittlenationthenactingahistorythatprovedworththewriting。ItmaybenomorethanabriefperversitythathassetanumberofourwriterstocheerthememoryofCharlesII。Perhaps，even，itisnomorethananotherrehearsalofthatuntiringsuccessattheexpenseofthebourgeois。Thebourgeoiswouldbemoresimplethan，infact，heiswerehetostandupeverytimetobeshocked；but，perhaps，theimageofhisdismayisenoughtorewardthefancyofthosewhopractisethewantonart。
And，whenallisdone，whoperformsforanybutanimaginaryaudience？Surelythosecompaniesofspectatorsandofauditorsarenottheleastofthemakingsofanauthor。Afewmenandwomenheachieveswithinhisbooks；butothersdoeshecreatewithout，andtothosefiguresofallillusionmakestheappealofhisart。Morecandidistheauthorwhohasnoworld，butturnsthatappealinwardstohisownheart。Hehasatleastalivinghearer。
Thisisbytheway。CharlesIIhasbeencheered；thefeatisdone，thedismayisimaginedwithjoy。AndyettheMerryMonarch’swasadismaltime。Plague，fire，thearrearsofpensionfromtheFrenchKingrememberedandclaimedbytherestoredthroneofEngland，andtheDutchintheMedway——allthiswasdisaster。Nonetheless，havingthevanityofnewclothesandaprettyfigure，didwe——
especiallybythemouthofAndrewMarvell——derideourvictors，makingsportofthePhilistineswithapropernationalsenseofenjoymentofsuchphysicaldisabilities，orsuchnaturaldifficulties，orsuchmisfavouroffortune，asmaybesetthealien。
Especiallywerethedenialsoffortunematterformerriment。Theyaresostill；ortheyweresocertainlyinthedaywhenagreatnovelistfoundthesmallnessofsomeSouthGermanStatestobethesubjectofunsatingbanter。TheGermanscenesattheendof"VanityFair，"forexample，mayprovehowmuchtheridiculeofmeresmallness，fewness，poverty（andnotevenrealpoverty，privation，butthepovertythatshowsincomparisonwiththegoldofgreatStates，andisproperlyinproportion）rejoicedthesenseofhumourinawriterandmoralistwhointendedtoteachmankindtobelessworldly。InAndrewMarvell’sdaytheywereevenmorecandid。Thepovertyofprivationitselfwasprovocativeofthesincerelaughteroftheinmostman，thetrue，infrequentlaughteroftheheart。
Marvell，thePuritan，laughedthatverylaughter——atleanness，athunger，cold，andsolitude——inthefaceoftheworld，andinthenameofliterature，inonememorablesatire。Ispeakof"Flecno，anEnglishPriestinRome，"whereinnothingisspared——notthesmallnessofthelodging，northelackofabed，northescantinessofclothing，northefast。
"Thisbasso—rilievoofaman——"
personalmeagrenessisthefirstjokeandthelast。
ItisnottobewonderedatthatheshouldfindinthesmallnessofthecountryofHollandmatterforacordialjest。But，besidesthesmallness，therewasthataccidentalandnaturaldisadvantageinregardtothesea。IntheVenetians，commercewiththesea，conflictwiththesea，avictoryoverthesea，andtheensuingpeace——albeitalessinstantbattleandamorelanguidvictory——wereconfessedtobenoble；intheDutchtheyweregrotesque。"Withmadlabour，"saysAndrewMarvell，withthespiritedconsciousnessofthecitizenofacountrywellabovegroundandfreetowatchthelabouratleisure，"withmadlabour"didtheDutch"fishthelandtoshore。"
Howdidtheyrivetwithgiganticpiles，Thoroughthecentre，theirnew—catchedmiles，Andtothestakeastrugglingcountrybound，Wherebarkingwavesstillbaittheforcedground；
BuildingtheirwateryBabelfarmorehighToreachtheseathanthosetoscalethesky!
Itisdonewithajollywit，andinwhatadmirablecouplets!
Thefishoft—timestheburgherdispossessed，Andsat，notasameat，butasaguest。
Anditisevenbettersportthattheastonishedtritonsandsea—
nymphsshouldfindthemselvesprovidedwithacapitalcabillauofshoalsofpickledDutchmen（heerenforherring，saysMarvell）；anditmustbeallowedthatherhymeswiththeenjoymentofirony。
Thereisnotasmileforusin"Flecno，"butitismorethanpossibletosmileoverthis"CharacterofHolland"；attheexcludedoceanreturningtoplayatleap—frogoverthesteeples；attheriseofgovernmentandauthorityinHolland，whichbelongedofrighttothemanwhocouldbestinventashovelorapump，thecountrybeingsoleaky：—
Notwhofirstseestherisingsuncommands，Butwhocouldfirstdiscerntherisinglands。
WehavelostsomethingmorethanthedelightedlaughterofMarvell，morethanhispracticaljoke，andmorethantheheartthatwaslightinsoburlyaframe——wehavelostwiththesethewildhumourthatworesowellthebondsoftwoequallines，andwaswildwithsomuchorder，invention，malice，gaiety，polish，equilibrium，andvitality—
—inaword，theCouplet，thecoupletofthepast。Wewhocannotstandfirmwithintwolines，butmustslipbeyondandbetweentheboundaries，whotoleratethecoupletsofKeatsandimitatethem，shouldpraisethedayofCharlesIIbecauseofMarvell’sart，andnotforloveofthesorryreign。Wehadplague，fire，andtheDutchintheMedway，butwehadthecouplet；andtherewerealsothemeasuresofthosemorepoeticpoets，hithertocalledsomewhatslightinglytheCavalierpoets，whomatchedthewitofthePuritanwithaspiritsimplerandlessmocking。
ItwasagainstanEnglishfortress，profoundlywalled，thatsomerememberedwinterstormslatelyturnedtheirgreatartillery。Itwasatimeofresoundingnights；theskywassoclamorousandsoclose，upinthetowersoftheseasidestronghold，thatoneseemedtobeindeedadmittedtotheperturbedcounselsofthewinds。Thegalecamewithanindescribablehaste，hootingasitflew；itseemedtobreakitselfupontheheights，yetpassedunbrokenouttosea；inthevoiceoftheseatherewerepauses，butnoneinthatoftheurgentgalewithitshoo—hoo—hooallnight，thatclamoureddownthecallingofthewaves。Thatlackofpauseswasthestrangestthinginthetempest，becausetheincreaseofsoundseemedtoimplyalullbefore。Thelullwasneverperceptible，buttheliftwasalwaysanalarm。Theonslaughtwasinstant，wherewoulditstop？Whatwasthesecretextremetowhichthishurryandforceweretending？Youaskedlesswhatthingwasdrivingtheflocksofthestormthanwhatwasdrawingthem。Theattractionseemedthegreaterviolence，themoreirresistible，andthemoreunknown。Andthereweremomentswhentheendseemedabouttobeattained。
Thewindstruckushastyblows，andunawaresweborrowed，todescribeit，wordsfitforthesharpstrokesofmaterialthings；butthefiercegaleissoft。Alongtheshortgrass，tremblingandcoweringflatonthescarpedhill—side，againstthestaggeringhorse，againsttheflintwalls，onewiththerocktheygrasp，thebatteryofthetempestisaquickandenormoussoftness。Whatdown，whatsand，whatdeepmoss，whatelasticwavecouldmatchthebedandcushionofthegale？
Thisstormtossedthewaveandthestonesofthesea—walluptogether。Thenextdayitleftthewaterswhitewiththethrillingwhitenessoffoaminsunshine。ItwasonlytheChannel；andinsuchnarrowwatersyoudonotseethedistances，thewidelevelsoffleetingandfloatingfoam，thatlielightbetweenlongwaveandlongwaveonaMediterraneancoast，regionsofdelicateandtransitorybrightnesssofaroutthatallthewaves，nearandfar，seemtobebreakingatthesamemoment，onebeyondtheother，andleaguebeyondleague，intofoam。ButtheChannelhasitsownstrong，shortcurlthatcatchestherushingshingleupwiththefreshestofallnoisesandrunsupwithsuddencurves，whiteuponthewhitesea—wall，undertherandomshadowofsea—gullsandthelightofashiningcloud。
THEDAFFODIL
Totraveleastwardsandbreastthesun，tosailtowardsthewatershedandbreastthefloods，togonorthandbreastthewinter——
freshandwarmaretheenergiesofsuchbracingaction；butmoreanimatingstillisittolivesoastobreastthestressoftime。
Manandwomanmay，likethechild，oralmostlikehim，fillthetimeandenlargethecapacityoftheday——ourpoordaythatsoeasilyshrinksanddwindlesinthecarelesspossessionofidleminds。Thedate，everyfirstofMarch，forexample，maysweepuponalargecurveandcomehomeannuallyafteraswingingflight。Totheinfinitevarietyofnaturaldaysmaybeentrustedhalftheworkofstrengtheningtheflightagainsttime，buttheotherhalfmustbethetaskofthevehementheart。Natureassuredlydoesnotfail。
Days，seasons，andyearsareaswideasunderastheunforeseencansetthem，andacrowdofchildrenisnotmorevarious。Buttheresistingheartseemsoflatetobesomewhatlacking。WeareinclinedtoturnourheelupontheEast，uponthewatershed，uponthegatesofthewind，andtogothesmoothroad。
Weareevenprecipitate，andwhipourwayfasteronthetime—killingcoursethanthenaturaleventwouldtakeus。Itisnotenoughthatweshouldrunhelplessly，weoutstripthebreezeandoutsailthecurrentwiththeeaseofouruntimelyluxuries。Ourdaffodilsarenolongertohavethepraiseoftheirdaring，forwenolongerrelatethemtothelaggingswallow。Bythetimethebarelybuddingwoodsgiveapoorman’slodgingtothecolddaffodil——ascantykindtakingthewindwithashortstalkandgivingitbutsmallpetalstobuffet——wehavealreadysaidfarewelltothetallandsplendidgreen—housedaffodilthatneverbravedthecold。Wegavetothisouruntimelywelcomelongbeforethesnowdropcame，andthegoldennameofdaffodilhaslostitsvernalsound。Andwhenwepartwiththeimprovedcreature，loftyandenlarged，wehardlyknoworcarewhetherthestarvelingisyetmusteringinhollowsofwoodlands，orwhetheritisoverortocome。Weareattendingtoayellowertulip，nodoubt，whentheonlydaffodilthatShakespeareknewisopeninginthechillywood。
Thereproachisacommonplace，butperhapswehavegenerallyaccusedourselvesoftheimpatienceratherthanofthelistlessness，andhavenotnotedhowweshortenthedisarrangedseasonsandlayupforourselvesmemoriesconfusedandundefined。Latespringsandearly，gentleandhard，arecompelledtoyieldthesamecolours；hastehasitswayanditsrevenges。Ifweareresolvedtolivequickly，why，nothingiseasier。Therearenosuchbriefdaysasthosethatareindistinct；andtheslidingonthewayoftimeis，ofallhabits，themosttyrannouslycareless。Itisfirstalaxity，thenahabit，andnextafolly；andwhenwekeepneitherAshWednesdaynorthebirthdayofdaffodils，andhavehardlyfeltthecold，anddonotknowwherethesunrises，wearealreadyonthewayofleastresistance，thefrictionoflifeisgone；andinourlastoldagethepastwillseemtodwindleevenlikethedwindledpresentofourdecline。
Therehasbeenoneunconsciousoperationoftheloveoflife，onesinglegraspaftervariety，intendedtosavetheyear，tofaceit，tomeetit，tocompelittoshowauniquefaceandbearanameofitsown；andthisistravel。Itisthefinestandmosteffectualflightagainsttimeofall。WhatelasticdaysarethosewhereinI
makeheadagainstatravellinglandscape，meethistoriesandboundaries，hailfrontiers，faceanewmannerofbuilding，crosstheregionsofsilverroofsandofheavyAlpinestone，andbringwithmethelatelightuponbillowygablesandredeaves!AndhowbuoyanttheweekinwhichIanticipatethesunupontherooflesseast!Howserriedarethedayswithforests，howenlargedbyplains，howthrongedbycities，howsingledbythepine，hownewlyaudiblebyanewsea!Farwasthesunrisefromthesunset，andnoonisonememorablemiddaywithshortenedshadowsuponsomesolitaryroad。
Ourfathershadfrictionofanotherkind：hardshipathome，wintersandnightsthatweredarkwithadarknesswehaveabolished；springsthatbroughtaninfinitereleasing，illumination，andrecolouring。
Noneofushasseenthesight，orbreathedtheair，orheardthoseemancipatedvoices。Thebloom，thebirds，theiftedsky!Brightnightsandglowinghouseshavesurelyrobbedusofthatvariety，andalltheseuntimelyfruitsandflowershavesuppressedeventhesmallprivationsofawinterindisguise。
InthosedaysEnglishmenhadtobreastthetimesastheywere。Theyhadtheprivilegeoftheirlatitude——vigorousandrigorousseasons。
Theyhadayearfullofchange——theirtimewasstretchedwhetherwithimpatienceorwithpatience，withconflictorwithfelicity。
Theirsaltmeatswerenottheworstofit；therewasthesiegeofdarkness，thecaptivityofcold，thethreatofstorm，andthelabourtoclosewiththeclosingenemy，tobreakwaysandsaveanimalsalive，andkeepthelawsinforceinthestreetinthelongandsecretnights。Fromsuchaseasonofwinterathome，winterwellknown，menbrokefreetohailtheirdaffodils。Theyfoundthem，short，strong，andshivering，inthestillopenandundefendedwoods。InthespringsbeforeChaucer，andearlierthanthedayofthefirstspringlyric，inthesameplacesgrewthekeenwildflowersasnow；buttheyassuredlyweremarkedwithanotherwelcome；
theymadememories；thisyear’swildharvestwasnotconfusedwiththatoflastyear，orofhalf—a—scoreofyearsgoneby。Distanceofvitaltimesetthespringsfarapart，andmadethedaffodilsstrangers。
Theyweregreetedwiththecourtesyduetostrangers，sofreshmusthavebeenthesensesofthevillager，andofthecitizenofthevillagetown。Suburbsdivideacityfromthefieldsaswallsdidnever。Heofoldwentfromalittletown，closeandserriedasanewboxoftoys，withonestepintotheunsmirchedcountry，carryinganunsatedheart。Refreshedwiththeanimatingcompulsionofchangefullifeweremanandwoman，andmuchliketheirchildinaconstantcapacityforuniqueexperiences，uniquedays，yearsthatareseparate，known，anddistinguishable，andnotonlyseparatebutlong。
Indeed，someofuswhotravelhardlyknowhowtoremedyourfugitive，resembling，hastening，andcollapsingseasons，evenbymeansofthissovereignremedyoftravel。Itistobefearedthatamodernjourneyisnotalwaystoussobracingamanneroflivingaswastheuntravelledjourneyofharddaysathometotheancientislander。Tojourneyashedid，keepinghisfeet，withamovingheartagainstthemovingseasons，toresist，towithstand，widenedthehours；buthisposterityaretakingallmeanstonarrowtheirown，evenontherailway。Togothesamewayeveryyear，forinstance，istolose，whenafewsuchyearsaregone，nearlyallthegaintolife。Totakenoheedatalloftheway，butmerelytobebyanymeansattheendofthetravelling，tosleeporgobynight，andtocalculateEuropebyhours，half—hours，junctions，anddining—
cars，isbuttocloseupthetimeasthoughyouclosedatelescope。
Alongrailwayjourneyandalongmotorjourneymaybetakenwiththeflightoftimeaswellasagainstit，andthehabitofsummariescanusethesetootoitsownend。Precipitate，unresisting，arethedayinthetrainandtheheedlessnight。Welovetoreproachourselveswithlivingattoogreataspeed，having，perhaps，nosenseofthesecondmeaningofthephrase。Medicinemay，perhaps，fulfilherpromiseofgivingusafewmoreyears，buthabitderidesherbymakingeachyearascantygift。
Much，too，ofthespiritoftimeislosttousbecausewewillnotletthesunruletheday。Hewouldseetoitthatourhourswerevarious；butwehavepreferredtohisvariousfacetheplainfaceofaclock，andthelightswithoutvicissitudesofournightswithoutseasons。
ADDRESSES
Notfreefromsomeignominiousattendanceupontheopinionoftheworldishewhotooconsciouslywithdrawshisaffairsfromitsjudgements。Heisindebtedto"thepublic。"Heisatleastindebtedtoitforthefactthatthereis，yonder，without，apublic。Lackingthisexcludedmultitudehisfastidiousnesswouldhavenosubject，andhissingularitynocontrast。Hewould，inhisgrossermoods，havenothingtorefuse，andnothing，inhisfiner，toignore。
He，atanyrate，isone，andtherestarenumerous。Theyministertohimpopularerrors。Butiftheyarenothingelseinregardtohimself，theyaremany。Ifhemusthavedistinction，itisthereoneasyterms——heisone。
Wellforhimifhedoesnotcontracttheheavierdebtshoulderedbythemanwhoowestotheunknown，un—named，anduncountedhispleasureintheirconjecturedorimplicitenvy；whoconceivesthejealousytheymayhavecovertlytoendure，enjoysit，andthussilentlybeginsandendswithinhisownmorositythestoryofhisbaseadvantage。
Vanityhasindignityasitsunderside。Andhowshalleventhepleasureinbeautybealtogetherwithoutit？Forsincebeauty，likeotherhumanthings，iscomparative，howshallthepraise，ortheadmiration，thereofbefreefrom（atleast）somereferencetotheunbeautiful？Orfromsomeallusiontothelessbeautiful？Yetthis，ifinevitable，islittle；itmaybenegligible。Thetriumphofbeautyisallbutinnocent。Itiswherenobeautyisinquestionthatlurkstheunconfessedappealtoenvy。Thatappealisnotanappealtoadmiration——itlackswhatisthegenialpartofegoism。
Forwho，exceptperhapsarecentwriterofarticlesonsocietyinAmerica，reallyadmiresamanforlivingintheapprovedpartofBoston？
ThevanityofaddressesisasfrequentwithusasonthewesternsideoftheAtlantic。Itisavanitywithoutthatsingleapologyforvanity——gaietyofheart。Thefirstthingsthatare，inLondon，sacrificedtoitarethebeautifuldayandthefacingofthesky。
Therearesomeamongstuswhosewiveshaveconstrainedthemtodwellundergroundforloveofanaddress。Modernandfoolishisthatcontemptfordaylight。Tothesimple，dayisbeautiful；and"beautifulasday"ahappyproverb。
Overallcolour，flesh，aspect，surface，manifestationofvitality，dwellsonecertaindominance。AndifOne，vigilantfortheduesofHisvicegerent，shouldaskuswhoseistheimageandsuperscription？
Wereply，TheSun’s。
TheLondonairshortensandclipsthosebeams，andyetleavesdaylightthefinestthingweknow。Beautyofartificiallightsisinourstreetsatnight，buttheirchiefbeautyiswhen，justbeforenight，theyadorntheday。Thelatedaylighthonoursthemwhenitsoeasilyandsweetlysubduesandovercomesthem，givingtotheelectriclamp，tothetaper，tothehearthfire，andtothespark，alovelinessnottheirown。
Withtheunpublisheddesiretobeenvied，wheretohereandthereamongstusissacrificedthesky，abidesthedesireforanobjectofunconfessedcontempt。Botharecontrarytothatmoreauthentic，thatessentialsolitarinesswhereinafewmenhavethegracetolive，andwhereinallmenarecompelledtodie。Bothareunpublishedevennow，eveninourdays，whenitcostsmensolittletomanifesttheeffronteryoftheiropinions。
ThedifferencebetweenourworldlinessandtheNew—worldlinessischieflythathereweareapttoremove，byalittlespace，thedistinctionbroughtaboutbyriches，toputitback，tointerpose，betweenitandouractuallife，agenerationortwo，aneducationortwo。Obviously，itwasrichesthatmadetheclassdifferences，ifnotnow，thenalittletimeago。ThereforetheNewEnglandcitizenshouldnotbereprovedbyusforanythingexcepthistoogreatcandour。Asocialguide—booktosomecityoftheRepublicisinmyhands。Inotehowtheverynamesofstreetstakeasoundofvenerationorofcheerfulderisionfromthewriter’spen。Itisevidentthatthenamesarealmostenough。Theyhaveanexpression。
Heislikeanaiftellerofhumorousanecdotes，whocannotkeephisownsmilesinordertillhehavedone。
Thissocialwriterhasscorn，asanauthorshould，andhewreaksituponparishes。Heturnsmeaphrasewiththenorthernendofatownandmakesanepigramofthesouthern。Hecapsasarcasmwithanaddress。
Intruth，wetoomightwritesocialguide—bookstothesameeffect，hadwethesamesimplicity。Itistobethoughtthatwetooholdanaddress，beitagoodone，socloselythatifFortuneshouldseefittosnatchitfromus，shemustneedsdosowithviolence。Suchunseemlyviolence，inthisasinothertransactions，isoursintheclingingandnothersinthetaking。ForequalistheforceofFortune，andsteadyishergrasp，whethershedespoilthegreatoftheirnoblethingsorstripthemeanofthingsignoble，whethershetakefromtheclutchingortheyieldinghand。
StrangearethelittletrapslaidbytheLondonersoastocaptureanaddressbythehemifhemay。Youwouldthinkagoodaddresstobeofallblessingsthemoststationary，andonetobeeithergainedormissed，andnotwowaysaboutit。Butnotso。Youshallseeitwaylaidattheanglesofsquares，withnoslightexerciseofskill，delayed，entreated，detained，entangled，intricatelycaught，persuadedtoroundacorner，prolongedbeyondallprobability，pursued。
Oneaddresstherewillinthefuturebeforus，andfewwillvisitthere。Itwillbearthenumberofanarrowhouse。Mayitavowitspovertyandbepoor；fortheobscureinhabitant，infrigidhumility，shallhavenothoughtnornoeyeaskanceuponthemultitude。
THEAUDIENCE
Thelonglaughthatsometimeskeepsthebusinessofthestagewaitingisonlyasignoftheexchangeofpartsthatinthetheatreeverynighttakesplace。Theaudiencearetheplayers。Theiraudienceonthestageareboundtowatchthem，tounderstandthem，toanticipatethem，andtodivinethem。Butonceknownandtheircharacterestablishedinrelationtoaparticularplay，theaudience——whatiscalledtheaudience——needgivenofurthertrouble。
Theythemselvescannotalter；theyarefixedandcompelledbythetremendousforceofaverages。Themostinexorableoflaws，andthemostirresistibleofnecessitiesareuponthem；theycannotdootherwise；theyareoutofthereachofaccidents；theyaremadefastintheirownmediocrity。TheyareathousandLondonpeople；
andnogenius，ornoimbecility，amongstthemhasanyeffectuponthatsecuresovereigntyofanumber。
Thelonglaughgenerallymeansthatthehouse——byitsunalterablemajority——haslaughedatonejokethreetimes。Thestagewaitsupontheaudience，andtheaudiencerehearsesitscollectiveandinevitablelaugh。Itperforms。Itcommunicatesitself，andartisacommunication。Asmallandchosenpartyismadeup，behindthefootlights，toseeathousandpeople，givenhelplessintothehandsofdestinyandsubjecttoaverages，soexpressthemselves。
Theaudience’saudience（thepeopleonthestage）arepersuadedintoapplaudingthelaughtoolongandtoooften。Theauthoris，ofcourse，oneofthem，andheapplaudsbymakingtoomanysuchtranslations。Theyareperhapsworthmaking，andevenworthrenewinginacknowledgementofasmile；butitissurelytoencouragethehouseundulytomakethemsoimportant。Theactorsapplaudtheiraudiencebyrepeating——andnotonceoronlytwice——apieceofcomicbusiness。DoestheAveragelaughsowellasindeedtodeserveallthis？
TheAveragedoeslittlemorethanlaugh。Itknowsthatitsowntruesttalentsareindubitablycomic。Wehavenorealtragicaudiences。Thisisnoexpressionofregretoverlegitimateaudiences，oraudiencesoftheoldschool，oranyaudiencesofthatkind，whosedaymayormaynothavehadadate。Itisamerestatementofthefactthataudienceshavelost，orneverhad，adistinguishingperceptionofemotion，whereastheyhaveeverykindofperceptionofhumour，distinguishingandgeneral。Theirlaughneverfails。Iftheirfriendsbehindwouldreallycaretoimprovethem，itmightbedonebyexactingfromthemalittlemoretemperanceintheirsenseofcomedy。Weshallneverhaveareallygoodschoolofaudiencewithouttheexerciseofsomesuchseverity。
Forobviouslywhenwecallanaverageunchangeable，wemeanthatitisunchangeableforitstimemerely。Theremightbeaslowupraisingofthelevel。Itwouldstillbealevel，andtherewouldstillbeacompellinglawupononethousandthatitshoulddothesamethingasanotherthousand；butthatsamethingmightbecomesomewhatmoreintelligent。
Whenafineactordoesafinething，havewesuchaschoolofaudienceastomeritthisadmirablesupplytotheirdemands？——thisapplauseoftheirunderstanding？Istherenotinthewholeexcellentpieceofwork，somethingalltooindependentoftheirpartinthetheatre？
IfCaligulawishedthatmankindhadbutoneneckforhisknife，andByronthatallwomankindhadbutonemouthforhiskiss，sotheaudiencehasconceivedthatallartsshouldhavebutonemysteryforitsblundering，andthusthinksitselfinterestedinactingwhenitdoesbutadmiretheactorasinadrawing。
Thetimemaycomewhenanationalschoolofdramaticaudienceshallnotacceptartificesthatcouldnotconvincethefoolamongstthem；
whenonebrilliantmomentofsimplicityontheonesideofthefootlightsshallmeetabrilliantsimplicityontheother。Whichtroupe，whichside，tobegin？
TITHONUS
"Itwasresolved，"saidthemorningpaper，"tocolourthebordersofthepanelsandotherspacesofPortlandstonewitharabesquesandotherpatterns，butthatnopaintshouldbeused，aspaintwouldneedrenewingfromtimetotime。Thecolours，therefore，"——andhereisthepassagetobenoted——"areallmixedwithwaxliquefiedwithpetroleum；andthewaxsurfacesetsashardasmarble……Thewaxislefttimetoformanimperishablesurfaceofornament，whichwouldhavetobecutoutofthestonewithachiselifitwasdesiredtoremoveit。"Not，apparently，thatanewsurfaceisformedwhich，bymuchviolenceandperseverance，could，yearshence，bechippedoffagain；butthatthe"ornament"isdriveninandincorporate，burntinandabsorbed，sothatthereisnothingpossibletocutawaybyanyindustry。InthishumorousformofornamentwearebeforehandwithPosterity。Posterityisbaffled。
Willthisvictoryoveroursons’sonsbethelastresolutetyrannypreparedbyoneageforthecoercion，constraint，anddefeatofthefuture？Toimposethatcompulsionhasbeenhithertooneofthestrongestofhumandesires。Itisone，doubtless，tobeoutgrownbythehumanrace；buthowslowlythatgrowthcreepsonwards，letthissuccessinthestencillingofStPaul’steachus，toourconfusion。
Thereisevidentlyaman——agroupofmen——happyatthismomentbecauseithasbeenpossible，bygreatingenuity，toforceourposteritytohavetheircupolaofStPaul’swiththestonemouldingsstencilledand"pickedout"withnigglingcolours，whetherthatundefendedposteritylikeitornot。Andthisisasurvivalofoneoftheobscurepleasuresofman，attestedbyhistory。
ItisimpossibletoreadtheThirty—nineArticles，forexample，andnottorecognizeinthoseactsoffinal，all—resolute，eager，eternallegislationoneofthestrongestofallrecordedproofsofthisformerhumanwish。IfGalileo’sInquisitorsputacheckupontheearth，whichyetmoved，afarbolderenterprisewastheReformers’whoarrestedthemovingman，andinhibitedthemovingGod。Thesixteenthcenturyandacertainpartoftheageimmediatelyfollowingseemtobetimeswhenthedesirehadconspicuouslybecomeapassion。SaythemiddleofthesixteenthcenturyinItalyandthebeginningoftheseventeenthinEngland——
forinthosedaysweweresomewhatintherear。Thereistheobstinate，confident，unreluctant，undoubting，andresolvedseizureuponpower。ThenwasRomerebuilt，re—faced，markedwithasinglesignandstyle。Thenwasmanyahumanhandstretchedforthtograspthefateoftheunborn。Thefortunesandthethoughtsofthedaytocomeweretobeasthedaythenpresentwouldhavethem，ifthedeadhand——thelivinghandthatwasthentodie，andwastokeepitsholdindeath——couldbyanymeansmakethemfast。
Obviously，tobuildatallistoimposesomethinguponanagethatmaybemorethanwillingtobuildforitself。Thedaymaysooncomewhennomanwilldoevensomuchwithoutsomeimpulseofapology。
Posterityisnotcompelledtokeepourpicturesorourbooksinexistence，nortoreadnortolookatthem；butitismoreorlessobligedtohaveastonebuildinginviewforanageortwo。Wecanhardlyavoidsomeoftheformsoftyrannyoverthefuture，butfew，fewarethelivingmenwhowouldconsenttoshareinthishorribleingenuityatStPaul’s——thispetroleumandthiswax。
In1842theywerediscussingthedecorationoftheHousesofParliament，andtheeffortsofallincouncilweredirecteduponthefuture。Howthefrescoesthentobeachievedbytheartistsofthedayshouldbemadesecureagainstallmischances——smoke，damp，"theriskofbulging，"evenaccidentsattendingthewashingofupperfloors——allwasdiscussedinconfidencewiththepublic。Itwasimpossibleforanyonewhoreadthepapersthentoescapefromsomeatleastoftheresponsibilitiesoftechnicalknowledge。FromGenoa，fromRome，fromMunichespecially，allkindsofexpertandmostdeliberateschemesweregatheredinordertodefeatthenaturalandnotsuperfluousoperationofefficientandeffacingtime。
TheacademiclittlecapitalofBavariahad，ataboutthesamedate，decoratedavastquantityofwallspaceofmorethanoneorderofarchitecture。Artrevivedandwasencouragedatthattimeandplacewithunparalleledobstinacy。TheyhadnotthemaliceofthepetroleumthatdoesviolencetoStPaul’s；buttheyhadinsteadanindomitablepatience。UnderthecommandsofthemasterCornelius，theybaffledtimeandallhiswork——refusedhispardons，hisabsolutions，hiscancellingindulgences——byaperseverancethatnothingcoulddiscourage。Whohasnotknownsomewhatindifferentpaintersmightybusyabouttheircoloursandvarnishes？Corneliuscausedapittobedugforthepreparationofthelime，andinthecaseoftheLudwigKirchethislimeremainedthereforeightyears，withfrequentstirrings。Thiswasinorderthatthewholefresco，whenatlastitwasentrustedtoitsbed，shouldbesetthereforimmortality。Nordidthemasterfailtothwarttimebythosemechanicalmeansthatshouldaverttheriskofbulgingalreadymentioned。Heneglectednodetail。Hewasprovident，andhelayinwaitformorethanoneofthelawsofnature，tofrustratethem。
Gravitationfoundhimprepared，andsodidthelessmajesticbutnotvaindispensationofaccidents。Againstbulginghehadanunderplotoftilessetonend；againstpossibletricklingfromanupperfloorhehadasphalt；itwasallpartofthehumanconspiracy。Ineffect，thedullpicturesatMunichseemtostandwell。Itwouldhavebeenmorejust——sothepresentagethinksofthesepreservedwalls——ifthedaythatadmiredthemhadhadthemexclusively，andourdayhadbeenexempt。ThepaintedcathedralsoftheMiddleAgeshaveundergonethenaturalcorrection；whynottheLudwigKirche？
In1842，then，thenationswerestanding，asitwere，shouldertoshoulderagainstthewalkoftimeandagainsthisgentleactandart。Theyhadjustcalledironintotheircabal。CorneliuscamefromMunichtoLondon，lookedatthewallsatWestminster，andputaheartofconfidenceintothebreastoftheCommission。Thesituation，heaverred，neednotbetoodampforimmortality，withduecare。WhathehaddoneintheGlyptothekandinthePinacothekmightbedonewiththebestresultsinEngland，indefianceoftheweather，oftheriver，ofthemeredays，ofthedivineorderofalteration，and，inaword，ofheavenandearth。
Meanwhile，therewasthatgoodservantofthelawofchange，limethathadnotbeenkeptquitelongenough，readytofulfilitsmission；theywouldhavenoneofit。Theyevadedit，studieditsways，andputittotherout。"Manyfailuresthatmighthavebeenhastilyattributedtodampwerereallyowingtotheuseoflimeintoofreshastate。OftheexperimentalworkspaintedatMunich，thoseonlyhavefadedwhichareknowntohavebeendonewithoutdueattentiontothematerials。Thus，afigureofBavaria，paintedbyKaulbach，whichhasfadedconsiderably，isknowntohavebeenexecutedwithlimethatwastoofresh。"Onecannotrefrainfromitalics：thewaywassoeasy；itwasonlytotakealittlelessofthisimportantcareaboutthelime，tohaveabetterconfidence，tobemoreimpatientandeager，andallhadbeenwell：nottodo——avirtueofomission。
Thisisnotamatterofart—criticism。Itisanethicalquestionhithertounstudied。Themakersoflawshavenotalwaysbeenobligedtofaceit，inasmuchastheirlawsaremadeinpartforthepresent，andinpartforthatfuturewhereofthepresentneedstobeassured—
—thatis，thefutureisboundasaguarantyforpresentsecurityofpersonorproperty。Somesuchholduponthetimetocomeweareobligedtoclaim，andtoclaimitforourownsakes——becauseofthereflexeffectuponourownaffairs，andnotforthepleasureoffetteringthetimetocome。Everymakerofawilldoesatleastthis。
Werethemenofthesixteenthcenturysomoderate？Notthey。Theyfoundthepresentalltoonarrowfortheimpositionoftheirwill。
Itdidnotsatisfythemtodisinterandscatterthebonesofthedead，nortoeffacetherecordsofapastthatoffendedthem。Itdidnotsatisfythemtobindthepresenttoobediencebyimperativemenaceandinstantcompulsion。Whentheyhadburntlibrariesandthrowndownmonumentsandpursuedtherebelsofthepastintotheotherworld，andhadseentoitthatnonelivingshouldevadethem，thentheyoutragedthefuture。
Whatevermisgivingsmayhavevisitedthosedominantmindsastotheeffectualandfinalsuccessoftheirmeasures——wouldtheirwritrunintimeaswellasplace，andwerethenamelesspopulationsindeedtheirsubjects？——whateverquestionsmayhavepeeredinuponthoserigidcounselsanduponthosebusyvigilsofthekeepersoftheworld，theysilencedbylegislationandyetmorelegislation。Theywroteinstatutebooks；theywouldhavewrittentheirwillacrosstheskies。Theirheartswouldhaveburntforlackofrecordsmoreinveterate，andoftestimonialsthatmankindshouldlackcouragetoquestion，ifintruththeydideverdoubtlestposteritymighttrytheirlock。Perhapstheydidneversomuchasforeseetheraceoftheunnumberedandemancipatedforwhomtheirprohibitionsandpenaltiesarenomorethandocumentsofhistory。
Ifthetyrannousdayofourfathershadbutpossessedthemeansoftheseourmorediffidenttimes!They，whowouldhavewrittentheirpresentandactualwillupontheskies，mightcertainlyhavewrittenitinpetroleumandwaxuponthestone。Fatedidthemwronginwithholdingfromtheirhandsthismeansoffinalityandviolence。
Intoourhandsithasbeengivenatatimewhenthestudentoftheracethought，perhaps，thatwehadbeenprovedintheschoolofforbearance。Something，indeed，wemayhavelearnttherein，butnotenough，aswenowfind。
Wehavenotyetthenaturalrespectforthecertainknowledgeandtheprobablewisdomofoursuccessors。Acertainreverendofficialdocument，notguiltlessofsomeconfusionofthought，latelyrecommendedtothevenerationofthepresenttimes"thosepastageswiththeirstoreofexperience。"Doubtless，astheposterityoftheirpredecessorsourpredecessorshadexperience，but，asourancestors，none——none。Therefore，iftheywerealittlereverendourownposterityisrightreverend。Itisaflippantandnovelty—
lovinghumourthatsoflatterstheunprovedpastandrefusesthedeferenceduetotheburdenofyearswhichisours，which——grownstillgraver——willbeourchildren’s。
THETOWPATH
Achildishpleasureinproducingsmallmechanicaleffectsunaidedmusthavesomepartinthesenseofenterprisewherewithyougirdyourshoulderswiththetackle，andsetout，alonebutnecessary，ontheevenpathoftheloppedandgrassysideoftheThames——thesideofmeadows。
Theelasticresistanceofthelineisa"heart—animatingstrain，"
onlytooslight；andsensibleisthethrillinitastheranksoftheriversideplants，withtheirsmallsummit—flowerofviolet—pink，aresweptasidelikealonggreenbreakerofflourishinggreen。Thelinedrumslightlyintheearswhenthebushesarehighanditgrowstaut；itmakesatelephonefortherushofflowersunderthestressofyoureasypower。
Theactivedelightsofonewhoisnotathleticarefew，likethejoysof"feelinghearts"accordingtotheerroneoussentimentofaverseofMoore’s。Thejoysofsensitiveheartsaremany；butthejoysofsensitivehandsarefew。Here，however，intheeffectualactoftowing，istheamplerevengeoftheunmuscularuponthehappylabourerswiththeoar，thepole，thebicycle，andallothermeansofviolence。Here，onthelongtow—path，betweenwarm，embrownedmeadowsandopalwaters，youneedbuttowalkinyourswingingharness，andsotakeyourfriendsup—stream。
Youworkmerelyasthemill—streamworks——bysimplemovement。Atlockafterlockalongahundredmiles，deep—roofedmillsshaketothewheelthatturnsbynogreaterstress，andyouandtheriverhavethesamemereforceofprogress。
Thereneverwasanykinderincentiveofcompanionship。ItisthebrightThameswalkingsoftlyinyourblood，oryouthatareflowingbysomanycurvesoflowshoreontheleveloftheworld。
Nowyouareoveragainsttheshadows，andnowoppositethesun，asthewheelingrivermakestheskywheelaboutyourheadandswingsthelightedcloudsorthebluetofaceyoureyes。Thebirds，flyinghighformountainairintheheat，wingnothingbuttheirownweight。Youwillnotenvythemforsobriefasuccess。DidnotWordsworthwanta"littleboat"fortheair？DidnotByroncallhimablockheadtherefor？Wordsworthhad，perhaps，asenseoftowing。
Alltheadvantageoftheexpertisnothinginthissimpleindustry。
Eventheathlete，thoughhemaygofurther，cannotdobetterthanyou，walkingyoureffectualwalkwiththelineattachedtoyourwillingsteps。Yourmoderatestrengthofamereeverydayphysicaleducationgivesyouthesufficientmasteryofthetowpath。
Ifyournaturalwalkisheavy，thereisspiritinthetackletogiveitlife，andifitisbuoyantitwillbemorebuoyantunderthebuoyantburden——theyieldingcheck——thaneverbefore。Anunharnessedwalkmustbegintoseemtoyouasorryincidentofinsignificantliberty。Itiseasierthantowing？Soisthedrawingofwaterinasieveeasiertothearmsthandrawinginabucket，butnottotheheart。
Towalkunboundistowalkinprose，withoutthefrictionofthewingsofmetre，withoutthesweetandencouragingtuguponthespiritandtheline。
Nodeadweightfollowsyouasyoutow。Theburdeniswilling；itdependsuponyougaily，asafriendmaydowithoutmakinganydepressingshowofhelplessness；neither，ontheotherhand，isitapttosetyouatnaughtorchargeyouwithamake—believe。Itaccompanies，italmostanticipates；itlagswhenyouarebrisk，justsomuchastogiveyourbrisknessgoodreason，andtojustifyyouifyoushouldtaketostillmorenimbleheels。Allyourhaste，moreover，doesbutwakenamorebrilliantly—soundingripple。
Theboundingandreboundingburdenyoucarry（butitnearlyseemstocarryyou，sofineisthemutualgoodwill）givesworktoyourfigure，enlistsyourerectnessandyourgait，butleavesyoureyesfree。Nowatchingofmechanismsforthelabourerofthetow—path。
Whatlittleoutlookistobekeptfallstothelotofthesteerersmoothlytowed。Youreasyandefficientworkletsyoucarryyourheadhighandwatchthebirds，orlistentothem。Theyflyinsuchloftyairthattheyseemtoturnblueinthebluesky。Aflashoftheirflightshowssilverforamoment，buttheyarebluebirdsinthatsunnydistanceabove，asmountainsareblue，andhorizons。Thedaysaresostillthatyoudonotmerelyhearthecawingoftherooks——youoverheartheirhundredprivatecroakingsandcreakings，thesoliloquyofthesolitaryplacessweptbywings。
Asforsongs，itisSeptember，andthesilenceofJulyislongatanend。Thisyear’srobinsareinfullvoice；andtheonlysongthatisnotforloveornesting——thechildishsongofboy—birds，thefreshestandyoungestnote——is，byahappyparadox，thatofanautumnalvoice。
Hereisnohoot，norhurryofengines，norwhisperofthecyclist’swheel，norfootuponaroad，toovercomethatlightbutresoundingnote。Silentarefeetonthegrassybrink，liketheinnocent，stealthysolesofthebarefootedinthesouth。
THETETHEREDCONSTELLATIONS
Itisnosmallthing——nolightdiscovery——tofindariverAndromedaandArcturusandtheirbrightneighbourswheelingforhalfasummernightaroundapole—starinthewaters。Onestarortwo——delicatevisitantsofstreams——weareusedtosee，somewhatbyasleightoftheeyes，sofineandsofleetingisthatapparition。Orthesouthernwavesmayshowthelight——nottheimage——oftheeveningorthemorningplanet。Butthis，inapoolofthecountryThamesatnight，isnoripple—lengthenedlight；itisthestartlingimageofawholelargeconstellationburningintheflood。
Thesereflectedheavensaredifferentheavens。Onadarkerandmorevacantfieldthanthatoftherealskies，theshapeoftheLyreortheBearhasanaltogethernewandnoblesolitude；andthewatersplayapainter’spartinsettingtheirsplendidsubjectfree。Twomovementsshakebutdonotscatterthestillnight：thebrightflashingofconstellationsinthedeepWeir—pool，andthedarkflashesofthevaguebatsflying。Thestarsinthestreamfluctuatewithanalienmotion。Reversed，estranged，isolated，everyshapeoflargestarsescapesandreturns，escapesandreturns。Fitfulinthesteadynight，thoseconstellations，sofew，sowhole，andsoremote，haveasuddennessofgleaminglife。Youimaginethatsomeunexampledgalemightmakethemseemtoshinewithsuchamovementintheveritablesky；yetnothingbutdeepwater，seemingstillinitsincessantflightandrebound，couldreallyshowsuchalteredstars。Thefloodletsaconstellationfly，asJuliet’s"wanton"
withatetheredbird，onlytopluckithomeagain。Atmomentssomerhythmicfluxofthewaterseemsabouttoleavethedarkly—set，widely—spacedBearabsolutelyatlarge，todismissthegreatstars，andrefusetoimitatetheskies，andallthewaterisobscure；thenonebrokenstarreturns，thenfragmentsofanother，andathirdandafourthflitbacktotheirnobleplaces，brilliantlyvague，wonderfullyvisible，mobile，andunalterable。Thereisnothingelseatoncesokeenandsoelusive。
Theaspenpoplarhadbeenincaptiveflightallday，butwithnosuchvanishingsasthese。Thedimmerconstellationsofthesoftnightarereservedbytheskies。Hardlyisasecondarystarseenbythelargeandvagueeyesofthestream。TheyareblindtothePleiades。
ThereisalittlekindofstarthatdrownsitselfbyhundredsintheriverThames——themany—rayedsilver—whiteseedthatmakesjourneysonallthewindsupanddownEnglandandacrossitintheendofsummer。Itisamostexperttraveller，turningalittlewheela—
tiptoewhereverthewindletsitrest，andspeedingonthoseprettypointswhenitisnotflying。ThestreetsofLondonareamongitsmanyhighways，foritisfragileenoughtogofarinallsortsofweather。Butitgetsdisabledifaroughgusttumblesitonthewatersothatitsfinely—featheredfeetarewet。Ongentlebreezesitisabletocrossdry—shod，walkingthewaters。
Allunlikeisthispilgrimstartothetetheredconstellations。Itisfaradrift。Itgoessinglytoallthewinds。Itoffersthistleplants（orwhateveristheflowerthatmakessuchdelicateashes）tothetopsofmanythousandhills。Doubtlessthefarmerwouldratherhavetomeetitinbattalionsthanintheseinvincibleunitsastray。
Butifthefarmerowesitalawfulgrudge，thereismanyarigidriversidegardenwhereinitwouldbeagreatpleasuretosowthethistlesofthenearestpasture。
POPULARBURLESQUE
ThemoreIconsiderthatstrangeinversionofidolatrywhichisthemotiveofGuyFawkesDayandwhichannuallyanimatestheby—streetswiththesoundofprocessionalsandofrecessionals——acertainpopularversionof"Lestweforget"theirunvariedtheme；themoreI
hearthecriesofderisionraisedbythemakersofthislikenessofsomethingunworshipfulontheearthbeneath，somuchthemoreamI
convincedthatthenationalhumouristhatofbanter，andthatnootherkindofmirthsogainsasdoesthisuponthepublictaste。
Here，forexample，isthepopularideaofastreetfestival；thatdayisasthepeoplewillactuallyhaveit，withtheirowninvention，theirownmaterial，theirownmeans，andtheirownspirit。Theyowenothingonthisoccasiontothepromptingsorthesubscriptionsoftheclassesthatareapttotakeuponthemselvesthedirectionandtutelageofthepeopleinrelationtoanyformofart。HereoneveryfifthofNovemberthepeoplehavetheirownwaywiththeirownart；andtheirwayistooffertheserviceoftheimage—maker，reversedinhissingandirony，tosomecreatureoftheirhands。
Itisawantonfancy；andperhapsnoreallybarbarouspeopleiscapableofsooverturningtheinnocentplanoforiginalportraiture。